Stackable container system for storing, organizing and dispensing of ribbon or ribbon-like spooled products and method for dispensing same

ABSTRACT

A container system for storage, organizing and dispensing of ribbon or ribbon-like spooled products of varying diameters typically, but not limited to, use in gift decorating or crafting projects, constructed of a plurality of stackable trays of variable depths, a top lid and a bottom cover all secured together by latches, and which contain a system of dowels and dispenser slots fitted with edge guards which are employed in applying a breaking pressure on the spooled products protruding from dispenser slots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products generally used for the purpose of gift decorating or crafting are typically stored in multi-purpose containers such as plastic bins, not meant specifically for such products, boxes and even the plastic bags they came in from the store. These storage options are not conducive to organized storage, may allow for unwinding and tangling of the products as well as damage, and may not provide easy access when the items are needed.

Containers having partitioned sections and modular container units dimensioned for easy arrangement and use have proven to be effective in organizing and storage of a variety of products. In fact, stackable containers of varied styles and construction have proven effective for organizing and storing a myriad of products i.e. tools, sewing items and cosmetics.

Prior art provides an array of storage, organizing and some even dispensing options specifically intended for gift wrapping products. These are typically multi-purpose containers as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,537 B2 (Lown 537), U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,197 (Marquez 197) and US20050150924 A1 (May 924), and are not specifically for the purpose of storing, organizing and dispensing of spooled products such as ribbon and ribbon-like materials, (which hereinafter may be simply referred to as spooled products), used to decorate gifts or may be used in crafting projects. Those that are designed for or have a component meant for storing and dispensing of ribbon or ribbon-like spooled products, typically only accommodate one size spool, as well as limiting the number of spools it will accommodate to only a few. Further, those disclosures that provide for ribbon or ribbon-like spooled products are primarily intended to store and dispense paper products such as gift wrapping paper; ribbon or ribbon-like products are included incidentally.

It has also been suggested by prior art to combine a plurality of trays that can be stacked and latched together to form a single unit that is more convenient to transport, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,363 (Wolfseder 363) and US Patent No. 2004/0144670 A1 (Riley 670). This solution is satisfactory in general. U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,833 (Homan 833) Homan teaches a single container having ribbon spool storage and dispensing dowels. In general this is simply a box with two dowels on which spooled products freely rotate; there is no means of preventing spools not in use from unwinding while one spool is being drawn from. For storing and organizing ribbon or ribbon-like products of varying spool sizes within the same container system, and dispensing of those products in a controlled manner, these containers are less suitable.

Prior art has failed to provide a method of storing, organizing and controlled dispensing of a variety of different sized and types of spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products used for the purpose of gift decorating or crafting within the same container or container system. Therefore, what is clearly needed is a container that will resolve the problems previously mentioned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container system for storage, organizing and controlled dispensing of spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products of varying diameters according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stackable trays of variable depths, each comprised of a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel and side walls, a lid with pivoting handle in the center, a bottom tray cover and latches attached to each exterior end wall of each tray that secures the trays, lid and bottom cover together in a stacked configuration to form the container system.

Also, included in one embodiment is a divided utility tray. Another embodiment includes a plurality of dowels positioned horizontally inside the trays, spaced equidistant from each other and from the interior of the end walls and at a distance above the tray floor such that spools on one dowel will not interfere with spools on an adjacent dowel or the tray floor, with dowels being supported by transverse pairs of J-shaped channel supports positioned at evenly spaced intervals on interior side walls.

Yet another embodiment includes a plurality of elongated slots in the floor panel of the container tray for the purpose of dispensing spooled products, each slot corresponding to a dowel, with each slot possessing edge guards which create a sliding pressure apparatus.

Another embodiment includes a single or a plurality of divider panels held in place by transverse pairs of vertical support guides formed from or attached to interior tray walls, spaced evenly between J-channel dowel supports.

In another aspect of the invention a method for dispensing spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products is provided comprising the steps (a) rotating a spooled product container tray 90 degrees to rest on an end wall as directed by an embossed arrow on the exterior of each tray side wall, (b) removing dowels, (c) loading spooled products onto dowels with all products unwinding in the same direction, (d) reinserting dowels into J-channel supports beginning with the bottommost position, spooled products unwinding from the top of the spools toward the floor of the tray, (e) inserting the ends of the spooled products through the slot in the tray floor corresponding to the dowel being loaded, (f) sliding together the two sides of the dispenser slot edge guards whereby the unwinding of spooled products is damped by applying a breaking pressure, (g) loading the remaining dowels one-by-one in the same manner as the first from the bottom up.

In one embodiment of the method the additional step of dispensing of spooled products whereby a spooled product protruding from the dispenser slot is drawn out to a desired length and cut at a distance from the slot which will leave a length of product protruding from the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the spooled product container system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the spooled product container system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a top view of one spooled product tray in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one spooled product tray in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the bottom of one spooled product tray of the spooled product container system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a side view of one spooled product tray illustrating an embossed directional arrow on the exterior of the side panel of each side of each tray.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a second spooled product tray with partition in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway, side view of one tray of the spooled product container system of FIG. 1 depicting a system of dowels, J-channel dowel supports within the tray, and dispenser slots with edge guards according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a utility tray of the spooled product container system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a lid for a tray of the spooled product container system of FIG. 1 , with pivoting handle.

FIG. 11 is a bottom cover for a tray of the spooled product container system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The structural and functional characteristics of the invention and its advantages with respect to the known art will be more clearly understood from an examination of the following description referring to the attached drawings which illustrate a practical example of embodiment of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 refers to an elevation view of an assembly of a container system for spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products (hereinafter may be referred to as “spooled products”) typically used, but not limited to, decorating gifts or in crafting projects, designated generally as 100. “Container” is used as a generic description of either a tray or a stack of trays.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the container system depicted in FIG. 1 , which illustrates a system of trays, 103, 104, 105. Each tray in this embodiment, is constructed of two opposing stackable side walls connected to two opposing stackable end walls which are all connected to a tray floor to form a container tray assembly. Tray assemblies vary in depth. Each of said trays is fitted with a series of dowels, 109, as detailed in FIG. 3 , for supporting spooled products. Dowels act as axes about which spools rotate. Spooled products are shown in this and subsequent figures as an example only, and do not comprise a component part of any system tray or the overall assembly.

Trays in this embodiment can be stacked on top of each other, secured together by latches 107 at the top edge of each tray's exterior end wall, each tray having at the bottom edge of each exterior end wall a protruding strip, 107 a, onto which the latch may be held in place to enable the said trays to form a unified container system in one embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the container system depicted in FIG. 2 , is a divided utility tray, 102, as seen in FIG. 9 , for storing and organizing various items i.e. scissors, pens, tape, name tags, and is also constructed of the same or similar shape-retaining material as the rest of the container system. The utility tray 102 is, in a preferred embodiment, constructed in a size and shape that will allow said tray to nest into the top of either tray 103 or 104.

The assembled container system terminates at the top with a lid, 101, which has in its center a pivoting handle, 101 a, for ease of carrying as seen in FIG. 10 . The container system terminates at the bottom with a cover, 106, as depicted in FIG. 11 . This bottom cover protects exposed spooled products that may be protruding from dispenser slots, 111 detailed in FIG. 4 , while being stored. Both the top lid and bottom cover are formed of the same or similar material as used for constructing the trays and are constructed in such a way as to be able to fit top and bottom of trays 103, 104, and 105 which comprise the container system 100, making each tray of the container system able to be used and transported independently of the others. The top lid and bottom cover are held in place by latches 107.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one tray of assembly 100 illustrating a plurality of dowels 109, each dowel is positioned horizontally between the side walls of the container system trays. The said dowels are further positioned equidistantly from each other and from the interior of the end walls of the trays to allow spooled products to rotate about the dowels freely without interfering with spools on an adjacent dowel or the interior of the end walls. Dowels in this embodiment are positioned at a distance above the floor of the tray to allow spooled products to rotate without interfering with the floor of the tray. The positioning of the dowels and the varied depths of the trays in this embodiment is for the purpose of accommodating various diameters of spooled products. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the described dowels rest in transverse pairs of a “J” shaped channel support, 110, formed from the same or similar shape-retaining material as the trays which, in this embodiment said J-channel dowel supports may be either extruded in from the side walls of a tray or formed separately and attached to the interior side walls. The purpose of the “J” shape of the channel is to prevent dowels from becoming dislodged from their supports when trays are rotated on end to allow for dispensing of spooled products as detailed in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one tray as referred to in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , illustrating a plurality of slots 111, in the floor of said trays, through which spooled products may be dispensed. Said slots in one embodiment of the present invention correspond to and are positioned beneath each dowel 109 in such a way, and are of a length and width, as to be sufficient to allow a variety of spooled products to be dispensed.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view enlarged from FIG. 4 illustrating a pair of dispenser slot edge guards 112 which are in one embodiment, comprised of strips formed of a shape-retaining material, formed in, but not limited to a shape such as a “U,” that will allow the guards to slide onto the slot 111 edges, and corresponding in length to the dispenser slots 111 of FIG. 3 . Said edge guards are fitted with pairs of corresponding nubs 112 a at each end of each of the said edge guard strips to facilitate sliding the two opposing guards together in order to place enough breaking pressure on the spooled products so as to not allow said spooled product to retract and withdraw from the dispenser slot. Pressure of the edge guards keeps other spools from unwinding as one product is being dispensed. Conversely, the nubs can be used to slide the guards open to release spooled products or allow for feeding spooled materials through the dispenser slots. In a preferred embodiment, said edge guards should be of a width that will prevent the guards from slipping off the slot edges when sliding the two opposing guards together.

FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of trays 103, 104 and 105 illustrating embossed directional arrows, 108, on the exterior of both side walls of said trays, which directs the user to rotate the said trays from a position resting on the tray floor, at a 90 degree angle to rest on the end wall which the arrow points toward. The tray is set upright on end to allow access to and dispensing of spooled products.

FIG. 7 is a top view of one embodiment of spooled product tray 105 of assembly 100, having a single divider panel or a plurality of divider panels 113. This tray is constructed with transverse pairs of vertical support guides 113 a, formed from or attached to the interior side walls of the tray to form a support for said panels. In this embodiment, divider panels and divider panel support guides are positioned equidistant between J-channel dowel supports 110. In this embodiment, dowels 109 may be removed from the partitioned sections to allow for storage of various items, i.e. premade bows or other items used to decorate gifts or items used for crafting.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of a tray of container assembly 100 fitted with a plurality of dowels 109 held in place by a plurality of transverse pairs of J-channel supports 110. Also, depicted in this view is a plurality of dispenser slots 111 fitted with slot edge guards 112 as described in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 . 

What is claimed:
 1. A container system for storage, organizing and dispensing of spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products of varying diameters typically used in, but not limited to, decoration of gifts and crafting projects according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising: A plurality of stackable trays of variable depths, each comprised of a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel and side walls, and A latch attached to each exterior end wall of each tray that secures the trays together in a stacked configuration to form the container system.
 2. The container system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: A container lid with pivoting handle in the center, which may be attached by end wall latches to any of the trays set forth in claim 1; A bottom tray cover which may be attached by end wall latches to any of the trays set forth in claim 1;
 3. The container system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: A divided utility tray;
 4. The container system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: A plurality of dowels positioned horizontally inside the trays between tray side walls, spaced equidistant from each other and from the interior of the end walls and at a distance above the tray floor such that spools on one dowel will not interfere with spools on an adjacent dowel or the tray floor; A plurality of transverse pairs of J-shaped channel dowel supports positioned at evenly spaced intervals on interior tray side walls; A plurality of slots in the floor panel of the trays, each slot corresponding to a dowel, whereby spooled products may be dispensed and A plurality of dispenser slot edge guards, corresponding in length to dispenser slots, each possessing a plurality of nubs formed at the end of each edge guard creating a sliding pressure apparatus.
 5. A tray comprised of a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel and side walls; A plurality of dowels positioned horizontally inside the trays between tray side walls, spaced equidistant from each other and from the interior of the end walls and at a distance above the tray floor such that spools on one dowel will not interfere with spools on an adjacent dowel or the tray floor; A plurality of transverse pairs of J-shaped channel dowel supports positioned at evenly spaced intervals on interior side walls; A plurality of slots in the floor panel of the trays, each slot corresponding to a dowel, whereby spooled products may be dispensed; A plurality of dispenser slot edge guards, corresponding in length to dispenser slots, each possessing a plurality of nubs formed at the end of each edge guard creating a sliding pressure apparatus. A single or a plurality of divider panels and A plurality of transverse vertical support guides formed from or attached to the interior side walls of the tray spaced at equidistant intervals forming supports for divider panels.
 6. A method for dispensing spooled products comprising the steps of: rotating a spooled products container tray from resting on the exterior floor of the tray 90 degrees to rest on an end wall as directed by an embossed arrow on the exterior of each tray side walls; removing dowels; loading spooled products onto dowels with all products unwinding in the same direction; reinserting dowels into J-channel supports beginning with the bottommost position, spooled products unwinding from the top of the spools toward the floor of the tray; inserting the ends of the spooled products through the dispenser slot in the tray floor corresponding to the dowel being loaded; sliding together the two sides of the dispenser slot edge guards whereby the unwinding of spooled products is damped by applying a breaking pressure; loading the remaining dowels one-by-one in the same manner as the first from the bottom up;
 7. The process of claim 6 further comprising the additional step of dispensing of spooled products whereby a spooled product protruding from the dispenser slot is drawn out to a desired length and cut at a distance from the slot which will leave a length of product protruding from the slot. 